Revision as of 12:33, 5 February 2013

Being a member of Noisebridge is not like being a member of a gym or your local chess club. Anyone can come to Noisebridge to hack and learn: you don't need to be a member for that. At Noisebridge, membership is something different: it means taking responsibility and committing to help to maintain, improve, and govern Noisebridge. As a member of Noisebridge, you don't just come here to hack and learn, you actively work to improve what you see around you, help to deal with problems, and make this community better than it is today.

Do not edit this page. This page is the official process that Noisebridge has agreed by consensus. If you wish to modify it, you should bring up your desired changes at a meeting, it may be valuable to talk with the Policy Wonks first.

Becoming a Member of Noisebridge

Persuade two current Noisebridge members to sponsor your application by signing your application form.

Optionally, register for the wiki and create a user page for yourself. This is not required, but it's nice.

Every meeting, there is a standing agenda item to read all the applications in the binder. You do not have to be present when your application is read.

Once your application has been read out at four meetings, and you have obtained two sponsors, you are up for approval.

During that meeting you may request that Noisebridge consents to have you become a member, but you may put this off until the next meeting (or the next &c.). If you are unable to attend meetings, another member may proxy your request.

During the meeting at which you request that Noisebridge consents to have you become a member, those present may ask you (or your proxy) questions.

After those present are finished asking questions, you are asked to leave the room, and your application is discussed without you present. The meeting may then choose to agree to have you become a member of Noisebridge.

Once Noisebridge has agreed to have you become a member, you pay the treasurer your dues, and give the secretary your application form.

Until you pay the treasurer your dues, you are not a member of Noisebridge. If you have not arranged to pay your dues within thirty days of Noisebridge agreeing to have you as a member, you do not become a member, and must go through the joining process again.

At any time, anyone can look in the binder at the names. If an existing member has any concerns with any of the applicants, they should take time during that month to try and resolve the problem. They may ask another member to be a proxy for them to either help resolve the problem (preferred) or to voice their objection at the approval meeting.

The membership form may be downloaded here. There are also copies at the space. The binder is located on the desk at the entrance, next to the donation bin. Note that these items might be relocated through the space over time.

Leaving Noisebridge

If a member wishes to leave Noisebridge, they must inform the treasurer and secretary. If that person wants to rejoin Noisebridge, they must go through the joining process again.

Unless a member is on hiatus, after one month of not paying dues, the treasurer will attempt to contact the delinquent member to arrange for dues payment. If three months have passed since the not-on-hiatus member last paid their dues, and two months have passed since the treasurer attempted to contact them, and the member has not arranged with the treasurer to pay their dues, their membership shall expire. If that person wants to rejoin Noisebridge, they must go through the joining process again.

To go 'on hiatus' you merely have to notify the treasurer and secretary. You then don't pay dues, and are not able to block a consensus item. When you want to come back again (i.e. you got the job or returned to the country) you simply start paying dues again.

To stop being a member you notify the treasurer and secretary. This is different from going on hiatus in that if you want to come back you have to go through the joining process again.

Hiatus

Noisebridge allows members to go on 'hiatus' if they wish to temporarily suspend their membership. Hiatus may be used when a member will not be involved in Noisebridge for an extended period, such as if they are travelling; or when a member is temporarily unable to pay their dues. If you are unable to pay your dues, please consider searching for sponsorship, or asking the treasurer about starving hacker rates.

Members on hiatus are not obliged to pay dues and they are not able to block consensus items.

Going on Hiatus

If a member going on hiatus will not have regular internet acces or has specific communication needs during their hiatus period, it is their responsibility to arrange this with the treasurer and secretary before they go on hiatus.

While on Hiatus (Termination)

If a member on hiatus does not contact the treasurer and secretary within three months from the date on which they intended to return, their membership shall expire. If that person wants to rejoin Noisebridge, they must go through the joining process again.

If a member did not specify an exact time at which they intend to return from hiatus, their membership shall expire four months after they initially went on hiatus. If that person wants to rejoin Noisebridge, they must go through the joining process again.